“This event is extraordinary in its representation of over three decades of gubernatorial service. Within that time and within the administrations of the seven governors here or represented here this evening, is a collection of reforms that strengthened the protection and well-being of women across the Commonwealth.”

-- Carol Jordan,
director,
UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 15, 2004) -- University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr. and the law firms of Greenebaum Doll & McDonald, Stites & Harbison, and Stoll Keenon & Park hosted Kentucky’s former governors and other dignitaries at a benefit dinner for the UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women June 14.

During the dinner, Todd described UK’s creation of the innovative center. “We established the Center for Research on Violence Against Women because every year in the United States thousands of women lose their lives to violence, but we have yet to adequately apply science toward trying to prevent that,” said Todd. “ UK will be on the forefront in this nation in advancing research and scholarship to address violence against women.”

The university bestowed “legacy awards” on the former governors in order to highlight the role of the Commonwealth’s chief executive in improving safety, health, mental health, education, and equality for women.

“This event is extraordinary in its representation of over three decades of gubernatorial service,“ said Carol Jordan, director of the UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women. “Within that time and within the administrations of the seven governors here or represented here this evening, is a collection of reforms that strengthened the protection and well-being of women across the Commonwealth.”